Grain storage bag



July 21, 1959 5, OFF 2,895,400

GRAIN STORAGE BAG Filed May 9, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 saw a. TOPF ATTORNEYS s. B. TOPF GRAIN STORAGE BAG July 21, 1959 5 Sheets-:Sheet 2 Filed May 9, 1955 July 21, 1959 s. B. TOPF 7 2,895,400

' GRAIN STORAGE BAG 0 Filed May 9, 1955 5 Sheets -Sheet 3 .0 I 'IIIIII/II/l 'l'IIIIIIIIIIIIII/IIIIII:IIIIIIIIII/IIIIII INVEVLNTOR SAM BJOPF ATTORNEYS s. B. T-OPF GRAIN STORAGE BAG- July 2-1, 1959' 5 Sheets-$heit 4 Filed May 9, 1955 FIG.8

E V m SAM 9, Top? ATTORNEYS July 21, 1959 S. B. TOPF GRAIN STORAGE BAG Filed May 9, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FlG.l l

Ill; 54

v INVENTOR SAM B. TOPF ATTORNEYS United States Patent "ice z,s9's- ,40o GRAINuSTORAGE- BAG Sam B. *Topf, Cambi-ia Heights, N.Y., assign'or twConcordSupplies anti Equipmeiit Corporation, New York,

N.Y., a corporation dflNewXoik ApfilicaifionTMay 9,.1955,T Serial No. 507,086

11) Glai nis. (Cl.98-5'5) "The present invention .relates generally to gr'anaries, and more particularly .to a .portable grain storage bag which may readily lbewerected .ordismantledand which affords effective .and .longfterrn :protection against the harmful -elTect-s of moisture, heat, .rodents and other hazards .to.whichstoredgrainlis susceptible.

.The huge surplus of grain ,producedinrecent years has severely taxed .eiiisting .storagefacilities rand created-a .serious .problem of national ."SCOPB. Conventional silo structures fabricated iof .metal, wood or concrete vhave beensubjectedto exceptional .loads. Dueto structural defects resulting linspilling, .slow leakage and dumping, substantial quantities of ,grainhave been .lost or :irreparably damaged.

IIt has also become necessary .to hold a great amount of harvested grain :in comparatively :small .gran-aries or bins, either on ifarms as collateralrforiloans, .or ion-com- -rnercial sites .under: the supervision of Governmenhagencies dealing with surplus production. The earthpf adequate storage facilities lh-as at times .dictatedthe .use of makeshift farm structures .never. intended .for grain .stor' ,age and poorly adaptedffor this purpose. .In some instances, the soil has.beentrenderedsterile and then-grain piled directly thereon, the .sole .protection against .the elements being a vtarpaulin .cover. Large .10sses.have been experiencedby reason-of suchtinadequa-te storage.

As is well known, the. major. factors-leading. to grain deterioration are'heat, moisturefinsectsiandrodents. .An accumulation of damp grain within a filled Ibin .acts as a "favorable environment for -mold and ...insectu.activit-y, as -well as destructive tfermentation. @Moisture hazards in a-bulk of "dry grain. are aggravate'diif additional water enters the storage asna conseguenceofileakagetintthe roof or walls.

Heatgrains in .the hulkmay arise .due totsolarradiation or internal respiration and natural ,germination of the grain. An increase of heat in the lbulk .of -grain is often conducive to the deleterious activity .of .niicroorganisms and insects. .Damage wrought-.bv-stored grain pests and rodents is not restricted to Ttheirfeeding on sound kernels, Ifor the odors -created by insects and rodents is highly offensive and commercially objectionable.

Attempts heretofore 'made to meetthe mounting .pressure. for storage tfacilities by the use. of temporarystorage bins andtbags 'have not been commercially success- 111, for such devices werelacking in therequisitegrain safety characteristics. Eor example, the useofconven- .tional fabrics such as duck as a wall'material, for a storage bag structure affords little protection against rodents which are ableto bore through such fabrics. Moreover, it is 'not suflicie'nt merelyto provide "a;- secure storage space since th'e proper design er astorage facility must take into account" job safety and convenience when moving grain into and out of storage. Thedesign must also expeditednspectionand "servicingof *the grain, such as dryin'g and fumigation.

In view of the foregoing, it is the principal object of 2,895,400 Patented July $211, .1959

2 this invention -.to ,prov-id'e aportablergrain storage :device having superiorvgrain-safety and-job-saifety characteristics. Aisignificant feature of the invention resides in-the fact .thatthestorage device'may berquiekly" and easily erected for immediate use, :or dismantled, "folded and packed away. inta' confined-space forfuture use.

@More particularly, fit is an object of [the invention 'to provide -a grain storage bag, 'which is of exceptional structural strength, waterproof, rodent repellent and adequately vented. A bagdmetccordancewith the inven- =tion-is suitable (not only for the storage Mof grain but may besimilarlytemployedifor all types of feed, seed, .coin, etc.

Still another aoljje'ct eof the invention is .to provide "a storage bagrofwtherabovesdescribed:type which is adapted to: minimizeheat grain .of the bulk of external vor inter'n'al -.origin, whether -due to solar radiation or internallygenerated heat.

A further object of the invention is *tOl provide a grain tbag having a generally tCOIliCfil form Whose erection :is acarriediouhby the use=of a single supporting post. A asalient feature of the invention resides 'in the use-of 1 a resilient coupling .between the top-of the :post and the apex of -the'tbag1toaccommodate variationsin the height .of the bag. further feature of-the invention=lieslin the inse tor a hollow supporting .post to facilitate the proper ventilation of the grain pile.

-It is :another object of the invention .to;.providea {generally conical (storage bag having a slope corresponding substantially-to the tangle of irepose of'the :grain :pile, thereby rminimizingdnternal :stressesion the bag.

Also an -object=of itheiinvention is to-provide a'platform .to facilitate the unloading 1 of a bag 'havinga scentraltflooroutl'et.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide n grain storage bag which mayibemanufactured and sol unreasonable-cost.

For a 'better understanding of the invention, as well .as other objects and further features thereof, reference is 'made to the following-detailed description thereof to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein -lik'e elements in the several views are identified by thesame refereneeanumerals.

In-the drawing:

Fig. 1 .is :an -elevational view of a grain storage bag, in accordancemrithdhe invention, in the li'process of being loaded.

Fig.2 is atoptp1an viewof- -said bag.

(Fig. .3 is a (sectional view of -.the bag taken through the vertical-plane alonglines- 3-3= inFig. 2.

.I ig. 4 is-4a detail showing the snout of the bag astit appears when closed.

Fig. 5 is a detail showing one of the :side vents of the bag.

Fig. 6 is aiseetion -taken through "the lines -'6-6 in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is-a detailwshowing the zipper and flaparra'ngement of the1bag.

'Fig. =8sis a detail showing the resilient socket support .for the center postias'well as the ventilation cap received within the chimnewof the bag.

-Fig.:9'1=shows:in plan viewfithe socket for the upper end of the support.

Fig. lOfisla sectional view 'of the post taken through lines RID- 10 in Fig. 8.

.Fig. 11: is a 'modificationmf the "post structure.

"Fig. 1.2 ista plan view offa wooden stand for supporting 'aimodified form: or the ba'g.

:Fig. 1 3 ii a rsectional side view of the stand.

:Fig; 1'4 :i's awiew,' tin section, o-fa modified for m df floor structure including a gate-controlled outlet.

Fig. is a plan view of the gate.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 to 9, a preferred embodiment of a flexible fabric bag in accordance with the invention is mainly comprised of a door portion 10 having a circular configuration, an upwardly tapered gusset portion 11, sewed or otherwise attached at its lower edge to the periphery of floor 10 and a roof portion 12 having a truncatedsuited for the seams. It is to be understood, however,

pyramidal shape. The base of roof 12 is secured to'the 1 upper edge of the gusset and the mouth of the roof is secured to a cylindrical chimney 13 extending upwardly therefrom. Thus the bag is composed of connected floor, gusset and roof portions which are integral to avoid entrance of insects and animals.

- As best seen in Fig. 2, roof 12 is constituted by fifteen identical sections having a generally triangular shape,

whereas gussett 11 is made up of eight trapezoidal sections sewed together at their short sides to form a frustopyramid. The roof sections are sewed together at their sides to form radial seams, the base of the sections being -sewed to the upper edge of gusset 11 to-form a continuous seam.

Floor 10, gusset 11, roof 12 and chimney 13 are all fabricated of the same material preferably formed-of :a lightweight fabric woven from a synthetic fiber and .a vinyl copolymer resin such as Geon," since this plastic possesses excellent toughness, flexibility, durability and is resistant to attack by chemicals, such as fertilizer salts. A synthetic base fabric socoated is mildew and rot resistant, impervious to water and will not deteriorate appreciably even after prolonged exposure in or around a fertile, damp soil. Because of the greater duty to which it is subjected, the coatings on floor 10 are made relatively heavy. The floor for example may be triple coated with vinyl.

Evenly dispersed in the vinyl coatings on the base fabric is a rodent-repellent and pesticide whose composition is compatible with the vinyl.

Preferably the repellent is constituted by zinc dimethyl-dithiocarbonatecyclohexylamine complex, such as is disclosed in US. Patent No. 2,588,428. The repellent power maybe mixed with the vinyl powder in predetermined proportions. Since rodent penetration is potentially a far greater source of damage to the basic fabric than rot and other deteriorating conditions, the inclusion .of the repellent in the vinyl coating results in an appreciable prolongation in the life of the material and shields the stored grain from rodent attack. One may therefore dispense with the conventional rodent guards or barriers which surround grain bins. I v

In order to minimize heat gain, the exposed surface of the bag material is made extremely light in color to reflect solar radiation, whereas the interior surface is darkened to absorb internally-generated heat from the grain pile. This may be accomplished onthe outer surface by incorporating pulverized silver or aluminum in the outer vinyl coating, or by applying a separate reflective coating thereon. The interioris darkened by dispersing black pigmentation in the vinyl coatingtherethat the sections may be interconnected by other means, such as by heat sealing or adhesion.

Projecting outwardly from the periphery of floor 10 at equi-spaced positions about the bag are a plurality of tabs 14. These tabs are provided with eyelets through which stakes 15 may be driven into the soil so as to anchor the bag firmly thereto. The sole support for the bag is provided by a'central column or post 16, whose lower. end rests on a wooden plate 17, which in turn lies upon a rectangular layer 18 of fabric material which is sewed to door 10 to reinforce same at its point of greatest stress. The extra layer 18 also serves to locate the center position of the floor, thereby expediting the erection of the post. The structure of the post will be considered in greater detail hereinafter.

The upper end of post 16 is insertable within a resiliently supported socket, generally designated by numeral 19. Socket 19 is disposed in the lower portion of chimney 13 and is coaxial therewith. Insertable within chimney 13 is a metal ventilating cap 20 which is removable to permit filling of the bag.

Formed in gusset 11 and disposed circumferentially thereabout at equally spaced positions are a plurality of side vents, generally designated by numeral 21. Extending down substantially the full length of one section of the roof 12 is a zippered opening 22 adapted to admit an individual into the bag during the erection or dismantling thereof. This opening may also be used to unload the bag contents. As shown separately in Fig. 7,

a top flap 23 and a pair of side flaps 24 and 25 are provided to close in the zipper so as to protect it from. water run-oflf. The flaps are tied together by suitable "lacing 26 threaded through eyelets in the side flaps, the

chimney 13 at the lower end thereof is a reinforcing ring 29, the ring being secured in place by an annular fabric band 30 which overlies the ring. The upper and lower edges of band 30 are sewed to the wall of the chimney.

The resilient socket 19 for the center post 16 is constituted by a metal cross piece 31 whose four extremities are bent downwardly and are connected by suitable loops to helical springs 32, the ends of the springs being linked to the ring 29. Since the height of the bag will vary somewhat depending on the weight of the load contained therein, the resilient socket prevents excessive strain on the chimney and on the center post 16 and on the bag material itself.

The ventilating cap 20 is constituted by a metal sleeve 33 which is telescoped within chimney 13 and a conical dome 34 which is attached at its base to the upper end of the sleeve by a wire mesh 35. To tighten the cap onto the chimney, straps 36 are provided to encircle the chimney; In order'to permit air or fumigating gas to be formed into the grain pile,-the post 16 which extends through the vertical axis of the pile is preferably of hollow core construction.

As shown separately in Fig. 10, the post is constituted by four vertical angle bars 36A, which are positioned at the corners of asquare, the bars being held in position by cross-struts 37 or similar means to form a hollow column. A wire mesh 38 surrounds the four bars to impede grain from entering the interior of the hollow column so formed.

A removable closure member 39 is provided at the upper end of the post 16 as a bafile preventing grain tfrom -falling into the post when-filling the bag. "Closure imeniberfi39 may for-mpart of socket =19. Alternatively, i:aS ShOW]1"i.l1Fig. 11, thepost may be constituted by a *cruc'iformsupport 40,*surrounded by a wire mesh 41,the -snpport40 being formed by-cross pieces secured together attheir point of intersection. Obviously, the gauge of 'the mesh must be such as toblock the entry of grain particles. Plastic screening may also-be'usedfor this pur- "pose.

-As indicated by the arrows'in Fig.3, air entering the side vents '21wi1l flowinwardly into the interior 'of the grain pile and upwardly towards the chimney 13 through the center post16. Inthe event it is desired to fumigate the bulkythe flaps ontheside vent may-be closed and -fumigating gas introduced into the bulk through the centerpost. Ina similar mannerheated airmay be introducedthrough the center, post'to dry the grain in 'the'bulk. To further enhance ventilation within "the 'bulk, tubes formed of helically wound metal and surrounded 'by wire 'meshmay be'extended betweentheside vents and the :post to provide additional ventilating passages.

As best seen in Figs. 5 and 6, theside vents .21 are *formed by a rectangular wire screen 42 whose edges are secured to the edges of the vent openingby a webbing {frame 43. In additional, across-webbing 44 is provided to reinforce the'vent. Thewebbing "may be'forrned of thesame vinyl coated fabric as the bag. To shield the vent from water'and to provide an air duct therefor, a rectangnilar sheet 45 of coated fabric is placed over the "opening and sewed at its upper side and at either end to the corresponding edges of 'the opening. Sheet 45 is bellied outwardly toform an air scoop.

"Tofill the bag, the'vent cap 13 is first removed, and 'thegrain'then introduced into the chimney by any suitable screw or blower conveyor, as shown in Fig. .1. .As the grainiills the bag, it will assume an angle of repose which depends on the particle size, the density, the roughness and other factors will determine this angle. 'It has been found that the angle of repose for various "types of grain, corn, etc, lies in.the range of approxirnately 27.to3l. Accordingly, to minimize grain weight stresses on the bag, the conical roof 12 is designed so thatits'slope is about 35 and istherefore slightly greater thanthe average angle of repose for the contents stored therein so as to lend slight tautness to the roof. Thus wririklesare eliminated and also the possibility of water pockets which may result in the absence of all tension. *Aspointed out previously, the design of thegusset '11 is such that it is inwardly tapered. As the bag is being filled with grain, the gusset tends to assume a moreverticalpos'ition when the bag is loaded. Thisis of advantage for it thereby serves to hold the roof taut and to prevent wrinkles fronrforming therein which would result in water pockets. Moreover, the -more vertical position assumed by the gusset when loaded will provide a fast run-off and avoid water seepage through the .vent screen. Furthermore, the upward taper of gusset 11 causes the bag to rise symmetrically relative to'the vertical post without any lean as the bag is filled.

In erecting the bag, the'following procedure is involved. The bag is placed on a relatively level areaof ground, and stakes are driven into the tabs.to anchor .the bag. The operator then entersthe bag by opening :the Zipper and he raises the supporting post J16 so that its upper end engages the resilient socket 19while its lower end rests on the reinforced area in 'thecenter of the floor. It will be apparent that these steps may the carried out quickly and without .difliculty by.a.single individual. To dismantle the bag, the procedure is sim ply reversed. The bag may then be folded into a relatively small bundle, tied and stored for future use.

In some instances it may be desirable to support the bag above the soil to permit rapid unloading of the bag contents by a tunneling action. This may be useful the essential spirit of the invention. therefore, in the appended claims to cover all such for ease in feeding livestock. For -'this"purpose a *generally circular stand such as shown in Fig. "l l may be provided. This stand isconstitute'd by-=twelve"identic-al "triangular sections 46 (six being shown) forming "the sectors of a polygon. Thesections are 'eachelevated and supported at an inclineby vertical legs47 and 48,

so thatthe stand assumes the shape ofalargetfiunnel. The apex-of eachsection is cut to form a central'opening 49. Thegrain storage bag to be mounted on-the elevated stand'may be-similar in allitsessential details to that shown in Fig. 1,save thatthe floor 10,'asshown in Fig. 14, is provided centrally with a downwardly projecting -'tube 50 which extends through the central opening 49 of the'stand, the upperen'd of'the tubebeing outwardly flanged and being secured to' 'the ifioor by means such as bolts 51. Interposed "between *the To control the flow of grain from the bag, the tube is provided with a ;gate constituted by a housing "53 anda gate element 5'4-slidable therein, the gate 'element beingprovide'dwith a handle 55topermit'adjustment thereof. Is-ever means *may alternatively be-pro- 'vided 'to effect adjustment ofthe gate.

As shown in Fig. 15, the gate element'is alsoprovided with'aplu- -rality of screen vents 56. In view of the-center outlet *in the floor of-the bagythe internal support for the bag may take a tripod form rather than the single center post. The legs of the stand may be provided withrodent or termite shields.

While a zipper opening "has been disclosed "providing access through a slit in the roof' portion of thebag,

the zipper may alternatively be designed to open a relatively large "flap in the bag so that entry t hereini is facilitated. 'In the eventthe bag is ripped or'otherwis'e damaged, a patch of the same material "may be used tocover the damaged area. This patch, in the case of a vinyl-coated fabric may be applied with tan acetone base cement,-and in the caseof a neoprene coated'fabri'c with rubber cement.

While there has been shown what at present are considered to be preferred embodiments of the invention, it Will'be evident .that many changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from It is intended,

changes and modificationsas fall withinthe'true spirit of the invention.

What is'claimed is: 1. A grain storage bag comprising a floor portion,

portion being upwardly tapered whereby when the bag is loaded it assumes a'more vertical positionitdholdthe "roofportion taut, a bag supporting posit extending from the center of said floor portion ito said chimney, and

means coupling the upper .end of said post to said mouth of the roof portion, said portions all being formed of flexible material constituted by a base fabriocoated on either side with a flexible plastic material incorporating "a rodent repellent.

2. 'Agrain storagebag, as set forthin claim'l, wherein "said roof "portion has a slope "of approximately '35 degrees.

3. A grain storage bag comprising a floor portion, an annular gusset portion secured at its lower edge to the periphery of said floor portion, an upright truncated pyramidal roof portion secured at its base to the upper edge of said gusset portion and having a mouth formed at the peak thereof, and a chimney portion secured to the mouth of said roof portion and projecting therejabove, said roof portion having a slope corresponding substantially to the angle of repose of the grain to be stored, said portions all being formed of a flexible material constituted by a woven base fabric formed of an inorganic substance and coated on both sides with a flexible waterproof plastic, a bag supporting post extending from the center of said floor portion to said chimney" portion, and means coupling the upper end ofsaid postto said mouth of said roof portion.

4. A grain storage bag comprising a floor portion having a circular configuration, an upwardly tapered ,annular gusset portion secured at its lower edge to the periphery of said floor portion, an upright truncated pyramidal roof portion secured at its base to the upper ;edge of said gusset portion and having a mouth formed at the peak thereof, and a chimney portion secured to the month of said roof portion and projecting thereabove, said gusset portion having screened side vents formed therein, said roof portion having a slope of approximately 35 degrees, said portions all being formed of a flexible material constituted by a base fabric formed of an inorganic substance and coated on either side with a flexible plastic, a bag supporting post extending from 'the center of said floor portion to said chimney, and

means coupling the upper end of said post to said mouth of said roof portion.

5. A grain storage bag comprising a floor portion having a circular configuration, an upwardly tapered gusset portion secured at its lower edge to the periphery of said floor portion, an upright truncated pyramidal roof portion secured at its base to the upper edge of said gusset portion and having a mouth formed at the peak thereof, a chimney portion secured to the mouth of said roof portion and projecting thereabove, said gusset portion having screened side vents formed therein, said roof portion having a slope corresponding substantially to the angle of repose of the grain to be stored, an openable snout extending laterally from said roof portion, a zippered opening in said roof portion, and said flap means to protect said opening; said portions, said snout and said flap means being formed of an inorganic woven fabric which is vinylcoated on both sides, a bag supporting post extending from the center of said floor portion to said chimney, and means coupling the upper end of said post to said mouth of said roof portion.

6. A grain storage bag comprising a floor portion, an upwardly tapered annular gusset portion secured at its lower edge to the periphery of said floor portion, an upright truncated pyramidal roof portion secured at its of said post to said mouth of said roof portion, said portionsall being formed of flexible material constituted by a base fabric coated on either side with a flexible plastic material incorporating a rodent repellent.

7. A grain storage bag comprising a floor portion, an upwardly tapered annular gusset portion secured at its lower edge to the periphery of said floor portion, an upright truncated pyramidal roof portion secured at its base to the upper edge of said gusset portion and having a mouth formed at the peak thereof, a chimney portion secured to the mouth of said roof portion and projecting thereabove, said roof portion having a slope corresponding substantially to the angle of repose of the grain to be stored, said portions all being formed of a material constituted by a Woven fabric formed of an inorganic substance and coated on either side with aflexible plastic material incorporating a rodent repellent, a bag supporting post extending from the center of said floor portion to said chimney, and means coupling the upper end of said post to said mouth of said roof portion.

8. A grain storage bag comprising a floor portion, an upwardly tapered annular gusset portion secured at its lower edge to the periphery of said floor portion, screened side vents in said gusset portion, an upright truncatedpyramidal roof portion secured at its base to the upper edge of said gusset portion and having a mouth formed at the peak thereof, a chimney portion secured to the mouth of said roof portion and projecting thereabove, said roof portion having a slope corresponding substantially to the angle of repose of the grain to be stored, a central post for supporting said bag, said post extending from the center of said floor portion to said chimney, and a resilient coupling between said mouth ofsaid roof portion and the upper end of said post, said portions all being formed of flexible material constituted by a base fabric coated on either side with a flexible plastic material incorporating a rodent repellent.

9. A bag as set forth in claim 8, wherein said post has a longitudinally extending hollow portion adapted to ventilate the core of the grain bulk in said bag.

10. A grain storage structure comprising a floor portion having a circular configuration, an upwardly-tapered cylindrical gusset portion secured continuously at its lower edge to the periphery of said floor portion to prevent entry of animals in said structure, said gusset portion being provided with a plurality of screened vent openings circumferentially arranged at spaced positions, an upright truncated-pyramidal roof portion secured at its base to the upper edge ofsaid gusset portion, said roof portion having a mouth at the peak thereof and having a slope of approximately 35 degrees, a zippered opening in said roof portion extending the length thereof, a chimney portion secured to the mouth of said roof portion and projecting thereabove, said portions being fabricated of woven nylon fabric vinyl-coated on either side, said coatings including a rodent repellent, said outer coating being light reflective, said inner coating being heatabsorbing, a supporting post extending vertically from the center of said floor portion, a socket resiliently supported in said mouth of the roof portion and engaging the upper end of said post, said post having a hollow portion extending longitudinally therein, and a .ventilating cap removably received within said chimney.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Noel Oct. 15, 

